Nevada delivers Wild Card upset against Chillicothe

The Nevada Griffons took a step toward the organization's first MINK League title Monday night in a 4-1 upset victory over Chillicothe.

The No. 6 seed in the playoffs went on the road and put together a masterful performance with a trio of pitchers combining for a two-hitter against the No. 3 seed Mudcats.

The Griffons mustered just four hits on the night, but two came in a two-run top of the third inning. With two out, Nick Kaelin doubled to center to start the rally. Bryce Humphrey drew a walk and Shadrach Salazar reached on an error to load the bases. Trenten Creek came through for Nevada with what turned out to be the game-winning hit. Creek's single to right brought around Kaelin and Humphrey to stake the Griffons to a 2-0 advantage.

Chillicothe pushed back in the bottom half of the third. After Aiden Baerenklau walked to lead off the inning, Rafael Calcano reached on a single. The table was set for Mudcat lead-off hitter Jarian Pinckney, but Landon Fletcher got him to ground into a double play. During the play, Baerenkla hustled to third and was able to turn the corner and score on an errant throw from Nevada first baseman Trae Burton. Chillicothe cut the deficit in half, but they wouldn't be able to close the gap.

Griffon starter Landon Fletcher surrendered just one unearned run through four innings of work. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out three.

Evan Helton followed Fletcher out of the bullpen and delivered four and two-thirds spotless innings. The only batter to reach base against Helton came with two out in the ninth inning. Jordi Ventura struck out, but the ball got away from Kaelin behind the plate. Ventura was on thanks to a wild pitch on the third strike. David Jennings entered the game to face Tanner Sears, Chillicothe's clean-up hitter and a proven clutch performer. Jennings induced a ground ball to shortstop for the game-ending fielder's choice.

Nevada advances to face the top-seed in the playoffs – St. Joseph. The Griffons have been members of the MINK since 2009, and own three South Division titles. They're still seeking their first overall league title, and are now just three wins away from making history.

MINK League Playoff Schedule